Strings and such

I go back and forth on string piecing. I hate it, I hate the mess, I hate how it takes over the sewing space. But then I can't throw out the skinny strips and bits that aren't suitable for piecing blocks. So I begin strip piecing something to get rid of them, vowing it will be the last time. And then I like the results so much I think it's worth it.

This winter I had a prolonged bout of stringing.

I have so many shirt strings. I mean, SO many. I pieced these 7" blocks over fabric squares to see if I preferred that. It was OK, but I can't say I like the finished patchwork. It seems a little heavy, even though I used very thin fabric. I'm not sure I would do that again. But it needs a border, so I'll have to deal with that eventually. And I actively like removing papers from my string piecing, so not having to do that is not a deciding factor at all.

I had a collection of white and cream strings that needed their own blocks.

I didn't get very far with them, but I really like the muted effect. I need to amass a lot more strips like this before I can go on and make more.

Blue and green is my favourite colour combination, and they were the largest bin of strings. I really put a dent in it with these blocks. I added another 9 before I ran out of variety, so they went back in the box to wait.

I think these bright blocks are my favourites, out of all the string blocks.

That bright stripe fabric down the diagonal of each block was scavenged from a bin of fabric at the op-shop.  Someone had attempted patchwork with giant 15" squares and then stuffed it all in a bag and donated it. There were a lot of solid squares sewn haphazardly together, in what I call clown colours; really harsh reds, yellows and blues. Those were donated back, but I kept this cheerful stripe. I was limited in what I could do with it, because it was all cut into squares, but I instantly thought of string piecing. I pieced these blocks in the middle of a very cold spell of winter, and it was so cheerful that it made me forget the foul weather outside.

I tried very hard to keep my mess to a minimum, but eventually I ran out of strings and patience. When I've had enough I just pack it all away and go back to my normal piecing. Until the next time.

I love these pink flowers on a succulent that I grew from my FIL's garden. He created a beautiful garden no matter where they lived. When I see these lovely flowers I always think of him